American Morning
Oil slick threatens wildlife
(CNN) – For crews trying to clean up the oil slick in the gulf, the time to act is now. Calm winds and waves are preventing the worst of the oil from drifting ashore. And while officials say the slick should remain at sea for at least the next two days, already marine life is paying the price. Our David Mattingly saw first hand the impact this oil is having on the wildlife.
Looming environmental disaster
(CNN) -There are reports today of oil washing ashore on Louisiana's coastline, which is home to hundreds of species of wildlife. Environmental health and toxicology professor at Tulane University, Luann White, and president of Dean Blanchard Seafood, Dean Blanchard, joined us on Friday's American Morning to talk about the impact this spill could have on the environment.
Gulf oil spill worse than feared
(CNN) – The oil spill off the coast of Louisiana is much worse than anyone thought. The Coast Guard confirms more than 200,000 gallons of crude are pouring into the Gulf of Mexico every day. That's five times worse than anyone feared.
A third leak at the site of last week's platform explosion has now been discovered a mile beneath the ocean surface. The threat of an environmental disaster is now so severe that the president is offering to send in the military to help. Our Reynolds Wolf has the report. Read more
Coast Guard: No crude oil leaks in Gulf rig accident
(CNN) – Authorities are fearing a potential environmental disaster after an oil rig burning out of control in the Gulf of Mexico sank yesterday. Right now there's a five-mile slick of crude 40 miles off shore.
A number of specialized boats are heading to the area with skimmers and other equipment to minimize the impact. Rear Admiral Mary Landry, commander for the Coast Guard's 8th district, joined us on Friday's American Morning to discuss their efforts.
Arctic explorer arrives at North Pole on Earth Day
Editor’s note: Arctic explorer Eric Larsen is trying to make it to the North and South Poles and the summit of Mount Everest in 365 days as part of an effort to raise awareness about climate change. Larsen joined us on American Morning before he set out on his Save the Poles expedition. On Earth Day, he arrived at the North Pole, the second destination in his global expedition. Below is an excerpt from his online journal.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://www.x-journal.com/member/ericlars/images/b158_755441.jpg caption="Antony Jinman, Eric Larsen and Darcy St-Laurent standing at the Geographic North Pole."]
By Eric Larsen
From EricLarsenExplore.com
Achieving the North Pole on Earth Day is not only the realization of a dream but also a reinforcement of a basic philosophy. The quality of our lives is directly linked to the air we breathe and the water we drink. At the North Pole, lines of longitude begin, grow and extend until they reach everyone one the entire planet. In spite of its remoteness, this is the one place that connects us all.
Nearly four months ago, I was at the opposite end of the world, the South Pole (another of Earth's connecting points). Today, the North Pole. In another four months, the summit of Mt. Everest. Standing here now is the culmination of three and a half years of preparation and planning as well as the efforts of many people. While I may be personally involved in these adventures, the Save the Poles expedition is not about me. My importance in any of this stems only in my ability to share my experiences with others.
On this expedition, we often traveled within a narrow margin of safety. We had limited resources and had to conserve and meter food and fuel. There is no question that now, the 21st century, we need to use resources to ensure our health and survival. But which resources we use, how we use them (and in what quantities) and if they are renewable are cornerstone to preserving our planet for future generations. Ultimately, when we view ourselves part of a whole, we can begin to understand how our actions affect other people and the planet.
After all, we are all explorers in one fashion or another, but the job of explorers in the 21st century is not to conquer but to protect. Read more
Audio podcast: Larsen and his team describe their journey to the North Pole
Oil slick spreads from sunken rig
(CNN) – A 1-by-5-mile sheen of crude oil mix has spread across the Gulf of Mexico's surface around the area where an oil rig exploded and sank, according to the Coast Guard.
"This is a rainbow sheen with a dark center," Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry told reporters.
Officials do not know whether oil or fuel are leaking from the sunken Deepwater Horizon rig and the well below, but BP Vice President David Rainey said "it certainly has the potential to be a major spill."
A remotely operated vehicle is surveying the area and cleanup efforts are under way, Landry said. The sheen "probably is residual from the fire and the activity that was going on on this rig before it sank below the surface," she said. Read more
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
